Beginning January 5, the GNWT will no longer be footing the bill for those returning from non-essential travel. 

The announcement was made at a press conference Tuesday, where Premier Caroline Cochrane clarified the government will continue to pay isolation costs for medical travel, medically-advised self-isolation, compassionate travel SA国际影视传媒� which includes the funeral or serious illness of an immediate family member SA国际影视传媒� as well as travel for unforeseen or exceptional circumstances that would require a resident of the NWT to leave the territory.  

Travellers returning on or before January 4 will continue to be covered for their 14 day isolation. Those returning on or after January 5 will be required to make their own accommodations. 

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e not promoting for people to leave unless itSA国际影视传媒檚 essential,SA国际影视传媒� Cochrane said. 

She said SA国际影视传媒渨e donSA国际影视传媒檛 have the moneySA国际影视传媒� to continue to pay all NWT isolation costs and questions SA国际影视传媒渋s it fair that people are allowed to travel, to go on a holiday, and then they come back and they get paid from the GNWT.SA国际影视传媒�

The premier said the government wanted to SA国际影视传媒渂e compassionateSA国际影视传媒� to those who have already made arrangements to travel south for the holidays.

For most, school and work resume by January 4. That was the defining factor in deciding when the new policy would start, Cochrane said. 

While Cochrane said it would be premature to comment on how much the GNWT would save with the new isolation restrictions, she said SA国际影视传媒渁 substantial amount of the isolation that is paid for by the government in the Northwest Territories is around leisure travel.SA国际影视传媒�

For isolation costs that the government will continue to cover, Cochrane said the government is looking into expanding their contracts with other hotels, bed and breakfasts, catering services, transportation options, and security. 

SA国际影视传媒淲hen it first hit, we had to scramble,SA国际影视传媒� Cochrane said of the government's early pandemic decision-making. SA国际影视传媒淲e contracted whoever we could call and just made arrangements to get hotels and meals.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淣ow that we've had a little bit of time to think back, and now that we've worked with the Business Advisory Council and heard the business community we're putting that out to tender.SA国际影视传媒�  

She said 19 tenders have been issued for businesses to share in isolation contracts. 

In addition to the changes in GNWT covered isolation, Health Minister Julie Green announced the government would be rolling out check-in calls to replace the current automated system. 

SA国际影视传媒淲e believe that making a personal connection throughout self isolation will encourage compliance,SA国际影视传媒� she said. 

With Covid infection rates rising across the country, the Minister said risks of transmission has never been higher. SA国际影视传媒淪taying put will save lives and keep us on the road to recovery,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Cochrane admits the changes may risk more breaches in proper self-isolation protocol. She urges residents to share in the responsibility of SA国际影视传媒渒eeping people safe,SA国际影视传媒� and reminds isolators that enforcement measures are in place for those who break the rules. If anyone suspects isolators that are SA国际影视传媒渂reaking the orders,SA国际影视传媒� Cochrane encourages them to call 8-1-1 or protect NWT.

SA国际影视传媒淲e may not get back to you and tell you that we charge someone, but I can assure you that every single call is being investigated,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

The premier, the health minister and chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola all urged residents to continue following public health restrictions though they acknowledge the challenges that accompany them. 

SA国际影视传媒淭o everyone who is feeling exhausted, we do understand,SA国际影视传媒� Green said. SA国际影视传媒淚t's been a long full year of sacrifices, and we're still making them and that's not easy. In these critical moments we need to stick together by staying apart.SA国际影视传媒�